Finally…4-3 Confirmed
Posted: January 29th, 2016 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 88 Comments »We knew the Eagles were going to run an attacking 4-3 under Jim Schwartz, but for some reason, the Eagles did not want to commit to that publicly.
Until now.
Schwartz went on 94.1 and talked about the defense. Jimmy Bama has the details.
Angelo Cataldi: You will change the scheme, Jim. Everybody assumes you’ll go more to a 4-3. Is that safe to say?
Jim Schwartz: Um, yeah, for sure. We’re not gonna be a two-gap 3-4. I want those defensive lineman to be attacking. I want those guys to be creating and wreaking some havoc and putting pressure on the quarterback. They’re not gonna be playing at the line of scrimmage and grabbing guys and trying to keep the linebackers clean. I think we have some good guys up front. We can take the handcuffs off of them a little bit and get some more production out of them.
It is finally good to have a coach state this publicly.
I am excited to have the 4-3 back in Philly.
No more reading. No more reacting. Just attacking.
*****
The Eagles signed OT Lane Johnson to a new deal that will keep him an Eagle until the sun expands and destroys the Earth.
#Eagles and OL Lane Johnson agreed to 5-year extension worth up to $63M with $35.5M guaranteed, NFL source said.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 29, 2016
It is good to have Johnson locked up for the long haul. He is the RT now, but will take over at LT when Jason Peters is finally done. Johnson has not yet become a dominant blocker, but he has developed into an above average starter and still has potential to get better. It will be interesting to see if the new offense brings out the best in him.
The Eagles have now done new deals with Zach Ertz, Brent Celek and Johnson. And they aren’t done yet.
Up next for the Eagles after Lane Johnson might very well be DE Vinny Curry. They've been negotiating with his agents.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 29, 2016
Yes, please.
*****
I need to do some research before commenting on the update in regard to the personnel job.
#Eagles looking at Steelers FO for personnel dir. makes sense. I'm told Tom Donahoe, former Steelers GM, having big impact on search.
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherNFL) January 28, 2016
Source familiar with situation told me #Eagles brass and Brandon Hunt had first meeting already Wednesday. Could have another one soon.
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherNFL) January 28, 2016
In addition to Brandon Hunt of the Steelers, Eagles have also interviewed former Browns/Skins/Bears exec Morocco Brown for personnel opening
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 29, 2016
Hunt made my future GMs list in December: https://t.co/8YXY0ky8S8 Very highly thought of in Pittsburgh. https://t.co/2GYyh56MJu
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 29, 2016
*****
Now for Senior Bowl stuff. Notes from Day 3.
I’ll write up a summation of the Senior Bowl week over the weekend.
*****
While we were down in Mobile, Jimmy Bama caught up with Georgia LB Jordan Jenkins to ask him about new Eagles DL coach Chris Wilson.
“He’s one of the craziest coaches I know,” said OLB Jordan Jenkins, whose face lit up when Wilson’s name was mentioned during an interview with PhillyVoice at the Senior Bowl. “He just gets after it. His coaching style is that if you’re not playing up to par he’s going to let you know. He enjoys the game of football and loves pass rushing. He’s crazy.”
Sounds like a lot of DL coaches. Those guys love getting to the QB.
Wilson sounds like a really good hire, based on his successful track record. The only real concern I’ve got is the fact he switched jobs so often. He won’t be making those kind of moves at the NFL level. He’s under contract and can’t leave for another NFL job unless it involves a promotion. He could go back to college, but that wouldn’t make sense unless someone paid him a boatload of money. And colleges rarely pay as well as the pros. Wilson will likely be here as long as he keeps producing good D-linemen.
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4-3
4-3
4-3
YES YES YES.
3-4 sucks
Actually, the 3-4 works pretty well when 1) you don’t 2 – gap it but attack and 2) you have the right personnel for OLB and SS.
Bill Belichick, Nick Saban, Bill Parcells, and Dick LeBeau would like a word with you
They can all polish Bud Carson’s and the 91 Eagles’ knob.
Jim Schwartz is The Man.
And Billy Davis is not.
For the 1st time, in a long time, I feel the Eagles D will be fun to watch on a consistent basis. RIP Jim Johnson. May the newly acquired Jim make you proud!
He’s an excellent coordinator. I’m a 3-4 guy but I care more about how good the coach is than what the scheme is. I’m excited to see our front seven with Schwartz.
Is Wilson our new Azzinaro?
Azz who?
Azz hole?
After reading Tommy’s notes, I’m going to have to go look at Jay Lee sometime soon.
How about tomorrow at 1:30 when the game is on?
True but the Senior Bowls have been so boring and one sided lately that I might not want to watch.
But there is still scouting you can do on every snap. No such luck in the pro bowl.
I think I heard something about his wife getting him a big, fancy watch for his birthday.
If cheesesteaks are ever off-topic, then I guess this is off-topic, but awesome nonetheless.
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/01/29/pats-steaks-health-inspections/
The comments on that article are even awesomer.
Only 9 other TEs have been more productive than Zach Ertz in their first 3 years according to this podcast. Including Ditka, Gronk, Gates, Graham, Witten, Kellen Winslow Sr., Kellen Winslow, Jr. at 6:35 mark. Don’t know if that’s yards or what.
http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2016/1/29/10868882/philadelphia-eagles-rebuild-nfl-draft-targets-needs-zach-ertz-contract-bradford-bgn-radio-podcast
The 4 – 3 confirmation from Schwartz conflicts with stuff I’ve read / heard elsewhere… Not saying it’s not true or that I don’t like the move, just that it calls into question consistency of communication from Eagles’ coaches
I agree. The old/new coaches are sabotaging the new regime.
how so?
I’d be interested to see this conflicting stuff.
I’d say your other sources were probably wrong. With everything that’s been written/said about Jim Schwartz, how would you think he’s coming here to run a 3-4? That’s not what he does.
Tommy’s state of mind…
‘No more reading. No more reacting. Just attacking.”
Strange. This behaviour has been considered a huge negative in the career of Kendricks. And maybe Kiko.
They don’t play on the DL
When they sign curry ill feel real good about the direction of the team.
This is what howie can do, re-upping with good draft picks !
hey y’all, I did this research & post over on 24/7, but figured I’d share here as well; I know many of you all have very different opinions on some of these players. Curious who you would sign or not.
—-
Seeing as how seemingly every new hire has some tie to either Philly or one of our players from many moons ago, I began to wonder if we may follow a similar track in FA — stick with some guys our new staff are familiar with from their past:
Pederson (kc), Reich (sd, specifically offense), Schwartz (buf)
thus, a quick look at some free agents:
Ron Brooks, CB, buf: just finished rookie contract in buffalo, was there in ’14 with schwartz. he has no intention of returning; gilmore and darby have starting spots locked down. also he’s crazy fast. http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/s…
Nigel Bradham, OLB, buf: same deal; coming off rookie deal. been starter there for 2 years, and his best year was in ’14 under schwartz. he was their WILL, is 6’2 240. maybe if barwin goes?
Mario Willi—– no, never mind. not going there.
Corey Graham, S, buf: could be an option if BUF cuts him for cap savings.
Joe Barksdale, RT, sd: was their only healthy OL all year, played on a 1yr minimum deal; even switched to LT when needed. just turned 28.
Kellen Clemens, QB, sd: i have been drinking.
Eric Weddle, S, sd: don’t think he’ll be cheap
Jason Avant, WR, kc: because family!
Chase Daniel, QB, kc: the Chase and Kellen show!
Jeff Allen, G, kc: ladies and gentlemen, your new starting LG
These kind of posts are great. I would actually be surprised if at least one of these guys are not signed. Or others in the same situation.
Thanks for doing the research!
Outside of me really not liking what a team actually gets from Weddle vs. what Weddle thinks he worth, I like the list.
>Mario Williams
Jask is that you?? Lol
Graham and Barksdale make a lot of sense. Barksdale would mean we’re moving on from Peters which might be necessary for cap reasons and the fact that he gets hurt every game. Daniel makes sense even if we keep Bradford because he could replace the Sanchize. I don’t know if that’s really an upgrade but whatever. If we don’t keep Bradford (I say we should for about $18M), then he’s Doug Pederson 2.0.
Jim Schwartz. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So why was this guy out of football for a year?
Because he was being picky about his next role and still a little bit tainted from his period in Detroit where lets be honest both he and his team were a bit out of control at times.
I think more the first then the 2nd, because how on earth does Rob Ryan still get DC jobs? Jim Caldwell is still a HC, Jeff Fischer is still a HC?
The last thing I expected when they fired Chip Kelly was a white guy signing spree.
There’s been a lot of talk about the defense being tired because of the fast paced 3-and-outs by the offense. I wonder if this was exasperated even more for the lineman by playing in a 2-gap 3-4. I bet blocking an offensive lineman double team every down is exhausting.
i know that for OL it’s more exhausting to pass block than to block downhill. i’d assume it’s the same for the DL (obviously in reverse).
Tommy,
Welcome home.
Hope you enjoyed the Senior bowl practices as much as we’ve enjoyed your scouting notes.
Fantastic work.
Hopefully this marks the return of the Eagles’ defense into . . .
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TfvwJztJtLo/maxresdefault.jpg
We need some real bad dudes; like these guys.
http://prod.static.eagles.clubs.nfl.com/assets/images/imported/PHI/photos/spadaro-column-images/Alumni/240_gang_green_092513.jpg
How the hell is Eric Allen not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Travesty!
Yup! This pic was my screensaver and avatar on another site for a while
That picture gives me chills and makes me want to snicker at the same time.
I know people want an OL or QB at 13, but do not tell me adding a talent as Noah Spence to this DL wouldnt be fun to watch?
I’m all for best player available. In three years the pick will be judged by talent, not by what we thought was a position of need three years previously.
St. Louis isn’t a good football team, neither is houston reall.
What do those teams have to do with Noah Spence?
You do not take Spence if he is rated below an OL, but you do not reach for an OL if you have a guy like Spence higher.
If we trade down then I wouldn’t mind.
I wouldn’t have fun waiting for a 4 game suspension to be potentially associated with his name every time I read a story about him. I’m very leery of adding a crackhead.
But I generally agree with looking at adding talent everything. I’m just not sure I like anybody at 13 as talented enough other than Tunsil, Stanley, Goff, or Wentz. Otherwise I’d prefer a trade down.
I havnt followed the draft enough to know if Spence is worth it at 13. If he blows up the combine and comes away well from interviews, good chance he is BPA together with guys like Decker, Treadwell
I’d go Treadwell – trade down – trade down – Spence – forfeit pick 13 – Decker
in ranking those 3 guys.
Mackensie alexander is going to be a superstar. I’d take him top 1@ in a heartbeat. All the top teams seem to have top talent at CB
Is Schwartz going to make faces behind Pederson’s back like Washburn did with Castillo?
http://www.mcall.com/sports/football/eagles/blog/mc-lane-johnsons-agent-says-his-client-was-rosemans-pick-not-kellys-20160129-story.html
Howie has been hit and miss, so he’s just like…..every GM in the league! I still cringe at the fact that we could have traded up for Dion Jordan because of Chip Kelly.
I forgot all about him (understandably), any word on Dion heading to SF yet?
He has to be reinstated first…
The Eagles had no reason to trade up. No one expected Miami to trade up to 3 to get Jordan. If anything, the when the trade was announced the assumption was that it was for Johnson.
I jumped up and down with joy when Miami took Dion Jordan. Lane was my top prospect in that draft class, and I was thrilled that we got him.
same.
He was the OT with the most upside of the three, and it seems as if he’s turned out to be the best pro of the three.
In hindsight, we would have had to trade up. Glad we didn’t.
You mean if Miami hadn’t traded up and taken Dion Jordan, Chip probably would have taken him at 4.
A draft where one of my 4 got to us at 13:
Round 1 Pick 13: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State (A)
Round 3 Pick 14: Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn (A)
Round 3 Pick 16: Vonn Bell, SS, Ohio State (A+)
Round 4 Pick 15: Max Tuerk, C/OG, Southern California (B+)
Round 5 Pick 14: Deiondre’ Hall, CB, Northern Iowa (A)
Round 5 Pick 23: Jordan Williams, WR, Ball State (A-)
Round 6 Pick 13: Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska (A+)
Round 7 Pick 12: Aaron Green, RB, TCU (A+)
Round 7 Pick 30: Terrance Smith, OLB, Florida State (A-)
And here is one where my guys weren’t there at 13
Round 1 Pick 17 (ATL): Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson (A)
Round 2 Pick 19 (ATL): Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina (A-)
Round 3 Pick 14: Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU (A)
Round 3 Pick 16: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh (A+)
Round 4 Pick 15: Max Tuerk, C/OG, Southern California (B+)
Round 5 Pick 14: Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana (B+)
Round 5 Pick 23: Jake Coker, QB, Alabama (B+)
Round 6 Pick 13: Montravius Adams, DT, Auburn (B+)
Round 7 Pick 12: Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford (A-)
Round 7 Pick 30: Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State (A+)
I like tuerk but he’s so tall and not to thick. Worried about him in the trenches
Couldn’t be any worse that what Kelce is doing in there at center now. I think we need to line up our next center sooner rather than later.
Very true. Not a fan of kelce either
http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/1/25/10826334/team-by-team-pre-free-agency-draft-needs-an-analysis
Something for you draft heads to check out.
problem is they aint splitting up ILBs and OLBs across scheme, so they get us an ILB, despite it been 4 deep on the team
The problem is that we passed up Ronnie Stanley for Reggie Ragland.
I’d put a brick through the TV if we passed Stanley for somebody on the rag.
Once again I’m seeing some Niners fan that have 0 clue about this team.
Embarrassing. Tunsil drops to 5? We pass Stanley?
Cool approach. Absolute bullshit draft.
ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer does not believe Robert Griffin III or Johnny Manziel will join Dallas this offseason.
No idea why rg3 would want to go to Dallas and be a backup again
Exactly. He can go to Cleveland and be the starter.
is dallas close to where he went to college?
We’ll see about Manziel. But I know RG3 will be starting in Cleveland.
Rams GM Les Snead said restricted free agent QB Case Keenum will be back with the team next season.
“We’re not going to let him go somewhere else,” Snead said. Coach Jeff Fisher admitted as much when he said Keenum would head into the offseason as the starter.
Foles 2016 is happening man! I feel it in the force.
I would bring him back for a look if he is released. Is him being released on the table?
they can get out of his deal basically if they make a move before march. He might be better than sanchez, don’t know if he’d be cheaper.
So honest question, haven’t been paying tons of attention.
I see Chris Wilson i sthe D line coach now. What happened to Rory?
Either the initial report was wrong or perhaps he received financial incentive to change his mind.
Or somebody might have just read TATE.
Rory stayed at Arkansas. Either he was just leveraging the Eagles for a raise or he was never more than a rumor we may never know.
All for the best. Wilson has a much stronger track record.